Free range?

[CEO]

Who here free ranges and who doesn’t?

 

[CEO]

I free range while with my chickens

 

[lisa158]

what is your definition of free ranging?

 

[CoconutCoffee]

I've primarily free ranged but had poorly built runs at various points. I accepted the increased possibility of losses with free ranging until a few months ago where 4 went missing in one day. Now they're in a run and I'm finishing expanding it soon. There's also a house being built next door so I don't want them going over there. Why on earth they built so close to the property line when the lot is an acre is beyond me though. My other neighbor doesn't mind the chickens and owned the field next to his house where they'd go, especially when corn was growing. When I get a privacy fence built then they'll be able to out of their run. It's 48x48 so they should be fine for now. Space wise.

 

[Hannahnic14]

We use to free range our extra roosters, (they have their own mobile coop) until a hawk decided to make one dinner over the weekend.

 

[Sally PB]

I don't free range. I don't see that being in my future, either. Too many predators, both ground and air.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I do. Flock in Sig, below. Birds have approximately 4.5 acres, protected by electric fencing - plus a bit more of the property when they escape the fencing at one of the gates (needs replacement of the wooden beam post, which is tilting). Approx 1.75 acres of "pasture", the rest is an underbrushed upland hammock. Saves a bit on feed costs, seasonally dependent, but the majority of what they eat comes from the feed store each month. Just bought another 600# yesterday...

 

[svh]

I had a meeting with my flock, and gave them their choices ..... Stay in the coop/run with relative safety, or free range with a chance of being killed and eaten ..... They voted unanimously for the free range option !!!

I own many acres of very rural/wooded ground, and am surrounded by thousands more, so my predator load is quite high. I loose a few each year, despite the three dogs, and to me this is acceptable for the happiness of the birds.

 

[6BeachChicks]

I free range whenever I can be outside. There are so many hawks… I once counted 8 at once!

 

[WIchickMama]

I don't free range. I don't see that being in my future, either. Too many predators, both ground and air.

same for me-too many predators to free range